McVitie’s will expand its Stockport workforce by 10% after a £21million investment in its Wellington Road North factory.
The biscuit titans will recruit 45 new staff members as it rolls out a new chocolate moulding line, with its parent company, pladis, pumping a total of £68million into modernising its UK manufacturing sites.
Multi-million-pound improvements will also benefit their Aintree and Carlisle factories.
Anthony Coulson, general manager of McVitie’s in Stockport, said: “Our Stockport site has a proud history and an exciting future.
“80 million packets of McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives are made every year, with all of the chocolate made in Greater Manchester.
“Today’s investment will bolster our presence in the region and future proof our heritage brands, providing more people with the biscuits they love”.
The vast red brick building on the Levenshulme and Heaton Chapel border is the only place in the world to make Penguins and Jaffa Cakes – two billion per year of the latter – and has baked since 1917, when it was built by the firm’s predecessor McVitie and Price.
“I warmly welcome Pladis’ £21 million investment in their Stockport factory,” said Stockport MP Navendu Mishra. “This significant investment, which will create 45 new jobs, not only safeguards hundreds of existing roles but also reinforces Stockport’s reputation as a vital hub for innovation and industry – protecting our town’s proud manufacturing heritage and future.
“Supporting world-famous brands like McVitie’s here in Stockport boosts our local economy and community, and I look forward to seeing this growth continue for many years to come.”
His thoughts were echoes by the leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Roberts, who said: “This is a major vote of confidence in Stockport – in our people, our potential and our proud industrial past.
McVitie’s is part of the fabric of our town, and this investment helps secure its future here for generations to come – cementing Stockport as the official home of not just the iconic Jaffa Cake, but now the McVitie’s Chocolate Digestive too.”
